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Articles by Rita Farhat Mukand
"Muslims must prioritise education for girls: Ex-Maha minister Anees Majeed Ahmed
Rita Farhat Mukand Dr Anees Majeed Ahmed from Nagpur is a former minister, educationist, and social reformer who has taken up the mission of Muslim education. He recently set up the Central Province Physiotherapy College (CPPC) and the Central India College of Pharmacy in Lonara, Nagpur. He was the first Muslim to be elected as President of the Nagpur University Students’ Union.
Assam's Diwali festivities were laden with pain of losing Zubeen Garg
Rita Mukand Diwali carried a sharp chill. On the surface it looked normal in Guwahati -- houses shimmered in the illuminations, families decorated banana trees and Tulsi plants with lights and lit diyas (oil lamps) around in their courtyards, the brightly lit streets carried a certain reverence and crackers sparked only sporadically. And yet, the air, usually electric with joy and festivity, seemed quieter.
Mass grieving for Zubeen Garg linked to his People's singer image
Rita Mukand On the afternoon of September 19, Assam was plunged into grief. News broke that Zubeen Garg- the iconic singer, composer, actor, and humanitarian had died suddenly by drowning. At 3 p.m., a memorial was held. Looking at the sea of stunned pale faces, the sorrow was contagious, and we were soon all in tears.
Patrician Mukhim recalls how citizens' movement ended militancy in Meghalaya
Rita Mukand In the late 1980s and 1990s, Meghalaya was gripped by insurgency. Violence escalated, people were gunned down, streets emptied by 5 p.m., and everyday life was paralyzed. Amidst this turmoil, Patricia Mukhim found herself drawn deeper into the fight against terrorism, determined to speak out even when fear silenced many. International Day Of Peace A Padma Shri Awardee, Patricia is an activist, writer, journalist, and editor of The Shillong Times.
World keen to hear Dalai Lama's announcement on his heir
Rita Farhat Mukand The Dalai Lama's surprising words, "The Next Dalai Lama will be in the Free World," have reverberated globally, prompting mixed reactions because there was an earlier indication that he wanted to devolve the institution of the Dalai Lama. This statement brought hope and the melody of promise to some. Others were left pondering over its meaning, searching for clarity, and for others, it stirred unease.
Dr. Bhairab Sarma demystifies AI impact on human life
Rita Farhat Mukand I waited in Dr. Bhairab Sarma’s office at the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM). The air was busy with the bustling of students and professors streaming into classes after lunch. I was to meet the Professor to discuss the baffling questions that are stirring generations of people to ask what is AI exactly because its conglomerates keep evolving making it tough to understand Artificial Intelligence in a nutshell.
Durga Puja must reawaken the spirit of feminine power
Rita Farhat Mukand On the evening of October 11, as I walked down the glowing street of Uzab Bazar in Guwahati, I could catch glimpses of the River Brahmaputra glinting gold-red sparkles in the evening sun, flowing alongside in the northern part of the city with the distant drums of the Dussehra ecstasy beating in the background. A sense of joy and calm enveloped me as I recalled my conversation with Himashri Mohanta, a bright young Assamese university teacher.
When women connected to promote Urdu and BANAT was born
Rita Farhat Mukand What would have been just another conference that ended with the invitees returning home rejuvenated did not quite turn out that way. A new exciting journey commenced at the end of the two-day All India Women Writers Conference in Patna, hosted by Bihar Urdu Academy, six years ago. Some 250 women read their stories, poetry, and prose, and shared research papers on different topics at the Patna event.
USTM faculty Faizuddin Ahmed hopes his Stanford honour will motivate youth
Rita Farhat Mukand Walking into Dr. Faizuddin Ahmed's cool and neat office inside the campus of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) with his silver laptop well balanced on a stand, books piled sprucely, one can gauge he had a methodical orderly mind. An assistant professor in the Department of Physics at the USTM, Dr Ahmed has been recognized by Stanford University, USA, as one of the world’s top 2 percent scientists for 2024 along with over 1,000 other Indians.
TISS-ParZor academic course on Parsi culture adds to efforts of saving community from extinction
Rita Farhat Mukand The Parsi community is said to be on the fringes of a “suicidal mission” because they don’t feel their economic or tangible worth anymore, which is why phenomenal efforts are now being made to revive the community. Recently, TISS-ParZor launched the 10-month Online Certificate Program on Culture and Heritage Studies, a 20-credit Certificate Programme comprising various courses from different tracks, each carrying 2 credits.
Tinat Atifa Masood defied death and lives to make everything possible
Rita Farhat Mukand Brimming with life and energy, Tinat Atifa Masood’s story takes you to extraordinary realms. A multi-tasker, she has anchored major events for VVIPs in Guwahati for 15 years and is an actor, model, artist, and writer, IELTS trainer, business communication and soft skills trainer, motivational speaker, empath, and influencer. Her two hashtags #IAmTheBest and #StoryOfMyLife has fascinating stories behind them. “I have total faith in humanity.
Divine vibes and peace at Haji Musafir Khana Khanqah
Rita Farhat Mukand Driving down to the Haji Musafir Khana in the bustling city of Guwahati with its ever-flowing teeming life is a fascinating experience. Vendors selling cartloads of fruits, and vegetables; tiny shops crammed with clothes, shoes, and all varieties of hardware line the roadsides. Vendors pushing heavy wooden carts keep calling attention to their wares. The air is thick with mixed scents of sweet fruit, flowers, smoke, chicken barbeques, and samosas.
Sairabanu Khan on challenges and joys of making slum kids attend school
Rita Farhat Mukand It was 15 years ago that Sairabanu Khanith started a school, now called New National High School, with a vision that education alone can change the destinies of underprivileged people. Today, the school is a testament to the power of education in metamorphosing lives. She lives in Bijapur, a historical city established in the 10th–11th centuries by the Kalyani Chalukyas in Karnataka. A day is never too long for Sairabanu.
Kolkata’s Shagufta Hanaphie is what zero to hero stories are made of
Rita Farhat Mukand Shagufta Hanaphie’s story is incredible, starting from a child as a shy girl who could barely speak, chronically ill with many complications to the point she would fall unconscious. Yet, at one point in her life, a “magic wand” touched and transformed her. She rose to become an Event Curator, Storyteller, Digital Creator, Author, Womenprenuer, Award Curator, and Philantropist.
Moonis Ather Indiawali from Karachi hosts podcast to build bridges
Rita Farhat Mukand Post Independence Day, Awaz-the Voice was able to connect with the India-born Moonis Chaudhari who lives in Karachi, Pakistan, where her family shifted in 1982. Moonis works as a podcast host at the Rehan Allahwala Institute in Karachi which has shot up in popularity drawing both Pakistani and Indian audiences. She goes by the penname of Moonis Ather Indiawali Social Media Incubator.
Karnataka leader Roshan Baig tells how generic drugs became available to Indians
Rita Farhat Mukand “I am a proud Indian nationalist deshbhakt by blood and DNA. I have devoted my life to the urban poor,” says R. Roshan Baig, a veteran leader from Karnataka, a seven-time MLA and former Home Minister of the southern State. 78th Independence day “This 78 Independence Day, I send my blessings for our nation and it is with great pride and happiness that I can say I am the son of the soil of India, love my country, and have served my Motherland diligently.
Shaikh Mohammed Elias sacrificed his business in non-cooperation movement
Rita Farhat Mukand Shaikh Mohammed Elias, son of Shaikh Mohammed Younus Fakhre Quaum often heard the story of his great-grandfather’s sacrifice for freedom. Fazal e Elahi Gorey Fakhre Quaum was a wealthy dealer of foreign goods in the 1940s when the British Empire had reached its zenith in glory and power. In that pre-Independence era, all rich Indian merchants did well by shipping exorbitant British products from Britain and selling them in India.
We can become a world power by standing united: Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah
Rita Farhat Mukand Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah (Retd) maintains that the fist cannot be clinched in case of the slightest hurt to one of the fingers. Likewise, we, the humans must know the importance of unity and teamwork. A Longewala veteran (1971 Indo-Pak war), who alsospent years fighting insurgencies in the Northeast India.
Standup comedian Rehman Khan explains how he addressed myths about communities
Rita Farhat Mukand The Mumbai-born Rehman Khan is known for his versatility, sarcasm, satire, and unique technique of hitting out punch lines. An actor, writer, theatre enthusiast, and stand-up comedian Rehman Khan’s latest avatar is his famous creation of HumourBaaz. He hosted over 20 non-fiction and fiction comedy shows across various TV channels such as Star Plus, Colors, Zee TV, Sony Entertainment, Sab TV, and Life Ok, among others.
Nawab Jehan Begum: I want to represent India in every country
Rita Farhat Mukand Nawab Jehan Begum is an internationally acclaimed award-winning artist and skilled painter whose artworks have earned accolades worldwide and in India. She was honouredwith the Yodha Award in Bhopal in 2023, Nari Shakti Award in 2024, Woman of Substance Award in 2024, and crowned with Pride of Madhya Pradesh in 2024. Her painting of the tricolour, released on Republic Day, under the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign went viral on social media.
Younus Mohani: Focus on commonalities of religions can bring about harmony
Rita Farhat Mukand Younus Mohani wears many hats: He is a peace-social activist, public speaker, RTI activist, General Secretary of the Indian Muslim Awareness Movement, Editor of Clicktv.in, Editor The Muslim Era, and President Maulana Hasrat Mohani Qaumi Welfare Foundation. Awaz-the Voice spoke with him about the increased need for interfaith dialogues in the wake of the current situation in the country, and also his views of the Indian Muslims at this stage of Indian politics.
Sunmbul Rahman has completed all 6 global marathons, scaled Ladakh peak
Rita Farhat Mukand Sunmbul Rahman, 50, has completed all six major marathons: London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo and scaled Stok Kangri peace in Ladakh. All this happener after Sunmbul lost her husband to cancer and she was left alone to face the life andi raise their two girls and yet discovered her innate strenghts to run and scale mountains. Sunmbum indeed qualifies to be the quintessential personification of it's never too late to start.
Muslim women, others get tips to scale up business at Kolkata event
Rita Farhat Mukand/Kolkata Entrepreneurial business ladies were all set for a major revamp with an event hosted by the American Consulate in collaboration with the University of Calcutta in Kolkata. Professor Shabina Nishat Omar, a good friend of Dr. Sharmistha Banerjee introduced some of the ladies of Taajira, a women enterpreners' community, to Dr. Banerjee so that they too could participate in the grand event. Banerjee with Anuj Sharma and Prof.
Maulvi Md. Ijaj Alam says Eid sacrifice is about love, devotion, patience, faith
Rita Farhat Mukand/Siliguri (West Bengal) Thunder rumbled under ashen-grey skies, with muddy puddles scattered across the roads of Salbari in Siliguri's suburbs. The Panchai River began to show the first signs of swelling after several years of sparse rainfall. This year, Eid seemed unusually quiet in this town of West Bengal until I entered the welcoming homes of Muslim families and felt the warmth of Eid preparations.
Poll outcome endorsement of collective idea of India: Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichhouchhwi
Rita Farhat Mukand Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichhouchhwi is the grand Son Of Huzoor Sarkaar -E- kalaan, from the line of Semnani who is said to be the descendant of Prophet Muhammad, through his grandson Husayn ibn Ali. He is also the founder and national president of the All India Ulama Mashaikh Board, an Indian Non-governmental Organisation established with the main purpose of popularizing the message of peace of Islam and ensuring peace and harmony for the country.
Prof Imtiaz Ahmad misses the blue sky and star-moon gazing of his childhood
Rita Farhat Mukand Professor Imtiaz Ahmad, former Director of the Khuda Bakhsh Library and Professor of History at Patna University, Bihar, commenced his academic journey as a Lecturer in History at T.N.B. College, Bhagalpur. His teaching tenure expanded to Patna University (1979-2004) and as Guest Faculty at Assam Administrative Staff College, Guwahati (1985-97).
Prof Shabina Nishat Omar: My biggest achievement is raising sons who respect women
Rita Farhat Mukand Professor Shabina Nishat Omar’s hunger for learning which began with her love for reading books in her childhood has only grown with time. Even today when she enters a bookstore or a library, she feels drawn to a euphoric whirlwind of delight. Shabina Nishat Omar is a celebrity academician presently posted as Officer on Special Duty, Education Directorate, Dept. Of Higher Education, Government of WB.
Azra Nalatwad on her weaver-turned-doctor father's inspirational life
Rita Farhat Mukand Dr. Azra Nalatwad's forefathers had migrated from Andhra Pradesh to a tiny Karnataka town called Karnul. Behind her success of becoming a doctor, is an incredible story of hard work and grit that lifted a poor family of weavers to a family of doctors. Dr Azra Nalatwad shared her and her parents’ inspirational story with Awaz-the Voice.
Azra Natalwad on her weaver-turned-doctor father's inspirational life
Rita Farhat Mukand Dr. Azra Nalatwad's forefathers had migrated from Andhra Pradesh to a tiny Karnataka town called Krnul in Karnataka. Behind her success as a doctor, there is an incredible story of hard work and gumption that lifted up a poor family of weavers to a family of doctors. De Azra Nalatwad shared not only her but also her parents’ inspirational story with Awaz-the Voice.
Battle is difficult but I am also a soldier’s daughter: Saira Shah Halim
Rita Farhat Mukand Battling it out in the heat and dust of Bengal is Saira Shah Halim, politician and activist, a former educator in mega-companies and a member of the Communist Party of India, daughter of veteran Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, and niece of celebrated actor Naseeruddin Shah, as the CPI(M)’s candidate from South Kolkata Lok Sabha seat in the ongoing General Elections.
Kolkata's 122-Year Nahoum Jewish bakery retains its pristine charm and popularity
Rita Farhat Mukand There’s a famous phrase Kolkatans use for Nahoum: Nahoum is a bakery started and owned by Jews, with Muslim bakers, where Christians and Hindus line up in the thousands to relish Nahoum’s delicacies” Rafat Akhtar, a poet who lives in Kolkata says, “More than a hundred years old, Nahoum Bakery Shop is still striving as one of the best cake sellers in Kolkata. Their variety of cakes at Christmas is a part of the culture of Kolkata.
Samsun Bibi of Odisha tends to crematorium as service to humanity
Samsun Bibi of Odisha tends to crematorium as service to humanity Sanmsun Bibi Rita Farhat Mukand Samsun Bibi of Odisha has been tending to a Hindu crematorium since 2012. She sweeps the crematorium and cleans the cremation ground daily and has planted 30 Neem trees over the ground which measures about an acre. Every day, she waters the saplings and 30 Neem trees that she planted, said Sarat Behera of Khadianga who recently performed the last rites of his father at there.
Rukhshi Kadiri Elias of Tajira says Eid is a festival to connect with all
Rita Farhat Mukand Rukhshi Kadiri Elias, founder of Tajira, the dynamic network in Kolkata where women uplift and support one another in entrepreneurship to launch and sustain businesses, has fond memories of Eid of her childhood. "I remember as a child getting very excited for Eid. Preparations for Eid began well ahead in Ramadan when we went out to buy clothes and matching earrings and bangles and sandals.
Why is the night of 27th Ramadan an extraordinary event this year, explains Tasmeem Kausar
Rita Farhat Mukand “No one on Earth will ever see a night like this 2024 Shab-e-Qadr.
An Indian living in Canada enjoys the multicultural milieu of Ramadan
Rita Farhat Mukand H.
How Darjeeling became home for this Kashmiri family
Rita Farhat Mukand/Darjeeling Walking into Habeeb Mullick & Son, an antique shop run by a Kashmiri family since 1870, now seated in Chowrasta Mall of Darjeeling is like sailing into another exotic dimension - a powerful experience. This is no ordinary shop but an antique curio sphere exuding ancient energies with each exquisitely carved artifact extolling its secret mystic tale.
Moscow’s Islam who saved 100 lives during terrorist attack is honoured
Rita Farhat Mukand The 15-year-old Islam, who helped save over 100 people during the recent terrorist attack on a musical event in a Moscow suburb was honoured with the Real Hero award. In the attack claimed by ISIS, 133 persons died and some 180 were injured. Four suspected terrorists attacked the concert in Crocus Hall and opened fire indiscriminately on and also attacked people with knives and sharp-edged weapons.
Why Bangladeshi elite send their children to this Siliguri school?
Rita Farhat Mukand/Siliguri Tucked in the heart of lush trees, foliage and nature away from Siliguri city's hustle and bustle is a school that has 25 percent of students from neighbouring Bangladesh. The Sacred Heart Residential School is the preferred choice for the Bangladeshi elite to get their children a wholesome and inclusive education.
Hindu vendors are kind and offer us discount during Ramzan: Sami Shaikh
Rita Farhat Mukand Sami Shaikh lives in Vijayapura (Bijapur), an old historical town in northern Karnataka. Today, almost a city, it was the capital of Bijapur Sultanate during the rule of the Adil Shahi dynasty in the 15th and 16th centuries. Today it is also known as the "Grape City" of India for its bumper production of the fruit. A former teacher, Sami Shaikh said that today, Vijayapura stands as a blend of its glorious past and modern aspirations.
Opinion | A Review of “What is The Reality of Ghazwa-E-Hind?
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, the Khusro Foundation released a unique book which unveils the dark secrets of propaganda that has been insidiously seeping into Indian society, “What is The Reality of Ghazwa-E-Hind?, launched by eminent author and journalist, former minister of state for external affairs Mr. M. J. Akbar.
Indian Muslim women have a stronger voice today: Zeenat Shaukat Ali
Rita Farhat Mukand Caught in the panoramic whirl of life, there are thousands of affluent ladies one interacts or brushes shoulders with, but Dr. Zeenat Shaukat Ali shines out amongst many with her warm charming smile, down-to-earth nature, while showering pearls of knowledge. Born in an affluent home in Mumbai, she holds no superficial airs and graces.
Amir Khurshow's naat in praise of the Prophet continues to be sung in Bengal's shrines
Rita Farhat Mukand Bengali music had a powerful religious influence and in ancient India, Bengali Muslim music had deep roots in religious influence, traced to 400 years. Indian music in the North East in Assam and Bengal was very rich and varied. Amir Khusrow, the Indo-Persian Sufi singer, musician, poet, and scholar who lived during the period of the Delhi Sultanate praised Bengali music’s richness, depth, and emotional resonance, likening it to the heavenly tunes of angels.
Rukhshi Kadiri Elias weaves Taajira as network of women who empower each other
Rita Farhat Mukand “Empower the men to empower the economically empowered women,” jokes Rukhshi Kadiri Elias, an articulate lady with her mellow voice igniting the conversation. She is the founder of Taajira – (The Businesswoman), a massive network of entrepreneurial women creating a revolution, not only in Kolkata but in other places bringing two different kinds of women together, to work together and empower each other.
Abu Dhabi Mandir evolved as a symbol of unity of faiths, cultures
Rita Farhat Mukund The magnificent BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi has a rich story behind it. The vision for making this temple does back to April 1997 when Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 10th spiritual guru and head of the sect, envisioned a dream of nurturing unity amid diversity to foster closer ties among nations, cultures, and religions. The temple's symbolic carvings incorporate indigenous UAE camels, falcons, and narratives from diverse civilizations, serving as a testament to cultural inclusivity.
Dragon dance in front of Kali Temple: Chinese New Year festivities in Kolkata
Rita Farhat Mukand/Kolkata “Gong Xi Fa Cai!" Wish you enlarge your wealth! May the Year of the Dragon be fortunate for us all” exclaimed the residents of Tangra which lies in East Kolkata that traditionally housed many tanneries owned by people of Hakka Chinese origin, known as the Chinatown in Kolkata, India. Celebrations of the 2024 Chinese New Year started around the 8th of February culminating with the main day after the second full moon, Saturday, February 10th.
Syed Ashraf Kichhouchhwi and his AIUMB fight radicals who bring disrepute to Islam
Rita Farhat Mukand/ Siliguri "It all started in 2005 under the sweltering sun in Moradabad, when we spread the message of Mohabbat" says great Sunni-Sufi leader, Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichhouchhwi, founder of All India Ulema and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB).
Bhuj quake pushed Masroor Alam into launching mission to help humans in distress
Rita Farhat Mukand Mohammad Masroor Alam’s life took him through a different route in Gujarat in 2001 when he was enrolled for a computer course and the horrific Bhuj Earthquake shook the state on 26 January at 08:46 in the morning killing 20,023 people, injuring about 167,000 while bringing about 340,000 buildings down to rubble. As a young man, he was shaken by the massive devastation.
Islam has the true tradition of democracy: Sarojini Naidu
Rita Farhat Mukand Republic Day is being celebrated all over the nation - as it has been since 1950, the day when the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 embracing all Indians as equal stakeholders in a democratic nation. On this day, the the core principles of liberty, equality, human dignity, individual rights, and the people's sovereignty are heralded as the foundation of all legal authority; rejecting monarchy, aristocracy, and hereditary political power.
Yasmin works to turn scars into stars for Kolkata's slum children
Rita Farhat Mukand Turning scars into stars was the theme line of the Stars Welfare Society in Kolkata that I happened to be around recently. It all started in the 1990s in the Tangra area when Yasmin Chung had a strange stirring in her heart on seeing hundreds of little children in the streets running around in rags, rummaging through garbage piles to find stale food that they gobbled hungrily. This led Yasmin and her husband Kafa to distribute snacks and juice to the street kids.
Redefining Geo-politics
KV News Text Size Print This Page By: Rita Farhat Mukand and Dr. Rizwan Rumi The Old Silk Road was so widely used in the 4th century that in the 21st Century, its geopolitical significance led most nations to wish for the same dominance over this route.
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